Is Sleep Apnea in Your DNA? Understanding the Genetic Link

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea, and while it's often linked to factors like age, weight, and lifestyle, genetics can significantly influence your risk as well. If you’ve ever noticed that multiple family members snore, wake up feeling exhausted, or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it may not be a coincidence—there could be a strong hereditary component at play.

Here are some of the key inherited traits and family lifestyle factors that can contribute to sleep apnea:

Your craniofacial structure—how your skull, jaw, and airway are shaped—is largely determined by your genetics. People born with certain anatomical traits are more likely to have a narrowed airway, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. These traits can include:

• A recessed chin (retrognathia) that allows the tongue to fall back into the throat
• A narrow dental arch or high-arched palate
• A small or short jaw (micrognathia)
• A large tongue (macroglossia) that can block the airway
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, especially common in children, and often seen in families

These structural traits often run in families and can be a silent contributor to poor sleep and disrupted breathing.

Genetics also influence how your body stores fat. For example, individuals with a tendency to carry extra weight around the neck and upper torso may experience more pressure on the upper airway. A neck circumference greater than 17 inches in men or 16 inches in women is a known risk factor. If your family has a history of obesity or certain fat distribution patterns, your risk may be elevated—even if you’re not overweight yourself.

Some people inherit differences in how their brain regulates breathing during sleep. This can contribute to more frequent breathing interruptions or a reduced response to low oxygen levels. For example:

• Family members with central sleep apnea, a rarer form, may pass on related neurological sensitivities.
• Those with restless sleep or insomnia-like symptoms may have inherited sleep fragmentation tendencies that also worsen sleep apnea symptoms.

In addition to your genes, the habits you grow up with can increase your risk for sleep apnea. These include:

• Dietary habits that promote weight gain or inflammation
• Sedentary lifestyle patterns
• Sleep routines that encourage late nights or inconsistent sleep schedules
• Exposure to secondhand smoke or allergens in the household environment

All of these factors can compound genetic predispositions and create a “perfect storm” for sleep-disordered breathing.

Even if you haven’t been diagnosed, it’s worth taking your risk seriously—especially if you’ve noticed signs like snoring, daytime fatigue, or waking up gasping for air.

Here are a few steps to help assess your risk:

• Family history: If sleep apnea runs in your family, you’re already in a higher-risk group.
• Self-screening tools: Simple questionnaires like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale can help identify potential red flags.

And the best part? Getting answers is easier than ever.

The good news is that even if you're genetically predisposed to sleep apnea, there are convenient testing & treatment options available now. With modern advances in sleep medicine, you can get tested and treated from the comfort of your own home.

At Daybreak, we offer an FDA-cleared, fully at-home solution to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. Our process starts with an easy at-home sleep test and—if appropriate—leads to a discreet, custom-made oral appliance designed to gently reposition your jaw and keep your airway open at night.

No masks. No machines. Just better sleep.

Understanding the genetic link to sleep apnea empowers you to take proactive steps. You can’t change your DNA, but you can take control of your sleep health. If you suspect that sleep apnea might be in your genes, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse. A better night’s sleep—and a healthier life—could be just a test away.